Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Breakfast Cereal

After weeks of looking at different types of soils, I went with a triple mix from Van Beek’s. It’s made from composted manure, black loam, and sandy topsoil. I couldn’t find ‘certified’ organic anywhere, but the owner said it is organic and assured me that they do not add any chemicals or fertilizers to it. That will have to do!

We used this soil calculator to determine how much soil we needed:

Take the Length (ft) of the area to be covered x Width (ft) x Depth (inches) divided by 12, then again divided by 27 and you have your cubic measurement!

For two 4 foot by 8 foot beds, I calculated our soil need to be about 2.37 cubic yards, so we ordered 2.5.

When we filled up the beds it was raining (of course!) and shoveling the soil was like shoveling bricks. What a workout! At least I know that the soil is nice and moist for planting. :)

The rain sure has made our lawn green though!

I’m going to the nursery tonight to check out the new organic plants that just came in and figure out what I need to buy. So far, I have sketched out a rough plan for both of the beds using this Companion Planting info to guide me. I’m trying to plant veggies with their companion plants, figure out specific spacing/planting requirements, and also how many of each plant I will need.

I also put a compost bin and gardening tools on my Birthday list. How cool am I? :)

I recently discovered that President’s Choice sells frozen mango chunks. I haven’t had the best experience with some frozen fruit mixes, but this frozen mango is super fresh and sweet. You can nibble on it straight from the bag. :) It is great to keep in the freezer for quick and easy smoothies.

“We are all functioning at a small fraction of our capacity to live fully in its total meaning of loving, caring, creating and adventuring. Consequently, the actual­izing of our potential can become the most exciting adventure of our lifetime.” – Herbert Ottto

Oooh yum everything looks delicious this morning! Well, except the soil I suppose, but that is exciting too! I was at Costco on the weekend and found that they have big Kirkland bags of frozen fruit, including mangos, for a pretty reasonable price. I might have to get a couple of bags next time. I can’t believe how all-out you guys are going with these flower beds – they look great!! I hope you have a lovely day Ange!

I love the PC frozen fruits, they’re very good and mango is a staple in my freezer! Also if you brave Costco they have really large bags of frozen mango for about $10 that’s just as good as the PC but cheaper. I just always have to bug a friend with a membership :P

your beds look great….. all ready to go :)
I have a very small veg patch and so planted out my sweetcorn plants and rhubarb plant earlier…. the rest – Tomatoes, cucumber, chillies, lettuce, mint, coriander(cilantro), peppers, strawberries, I grow in grow bags or pots…. gonna build some beds too next year I think… xx

Great work on the veggie garden…I’m trying to figure out the logistics of building my own on my condo balcony(first time)…how deep do you think I should make to planter to get anything other then herbs growing??

There are so many awesome things going on in this post! The gardening thing is super exciting, that cookie dough cereal looks to die for as does the mango green monster! And the quote is SO fabulous, I love it!

do you buy your kale already frozen or do you do it yourself? I normally put spinach in mine but I want to try kale next time!
Your garden plots look great too!! you are so lucky to have a big yard. for now my veggies growing on my deck will have to do.

This was my first time trying a bag of frozen kale. Our grocery store never has fresh or organic kale (and when they do it is often wilted) so I picked up a bag of frozen kale in the natural food section. It is GREAT for smoothies…not bitter like fresh kale in a GM.

Thanks for posting the list of companion plants, I honestly didn’t know that existed. Who knew basil kills rosemary?! I am buying the plants for my raised bed this weekend, I may be re-thinking that list! Thanks again!

I’ve been loving the frozen mango too! How amazing are they?? They just taste like summer to me. I’ve just been having them in regular or berry smoothies; I’ll have to try them in green monsters too…yum!

Looks like your garden beds are ready to go!!!!
I got fresh soil in my bed last weekend. All it needs is some sheep manure and then I’m ready to plant onces the warmer temps hit. (I like to wait until may 24 weekend as there’s less chance of frost then). Thanks for posting the companion plant link. I have a vague idea of what I want to plant veggie-wise this year, and this will help make my final decision! :)

We are having a major kale shortage here!! I usually go through 2-3 bunches a week, but have only had it about once in the past two weeks. So sad! The garden beds look great + I am completely jealous!! :) We just don’t have time to add that to our list of things right now!! Maybe, mid-summer I can plant a mini garden though or at least some herbs. One other thing you can add to your birthday list, is a rain water harvesting bucket!! hehehe http://www.rainbarrelsource.com/rain-barrels/12440+12448.cfm?source=googleaw&kwid=rain%20water%20barrels&tid=modbroad I definitely want a compost bin started pronto! Happy Friday!!

I can’t believe you just went there with the cookie dough! You know how to do breakfast ;)
That GM combination is one of my favorites! Mango adds SO much to a smoothie. I’ve actually been adding coconut to my banana-mango GM and it is soooo deliciously creamy.

Love that you just add frozen fruit bits to your smoothies…how easy is it to pull something out of the freezer that is peeled, cubed and ready? Love it, and will try this whole chia seeds in smoothie thing…I’m skeptical but I’ll try! I just cant get over Chia pets!

The chocolate chip cookie dough cereal sounds so yummy! I’m going to have to try that out soon! My parents have two planter boxes just like yours in their backyard and they absolutely love them. Plants grow very well in them. My mom plants 8 tomoato plants every year in each and they grow to be huge with a ton of fruit on them.

I am so proud of you guys for the progress you are making! You started this gosh darn it and you are certainly going to finish it! (unfortunatley, not usually the case with my incredible husband, oops did I say that out loud, joking)! :)

Now this is the new breakfast of champions! That has got to be the best Green Monster ever, eh? And those cookie dough balls…pretty pretty please? :)

Angela,
Not sure if you have ever tried VEGA – whole food optimizer, but its an amazing, completely vegan and gluten free, breakfast. Protein in the mix is derived from hemp, lentils, and brown rice only. So many good things in there also that help to balance my hormones, keep my full for a couple hours and give me energy all day. I havn’t felt the afternoon need for caffine in weeks since I started having a smoothy every morning. I started adding kale to it recently too to make my own version of the green monster! I highly recommend it for adding to your mix if you want to try something new! I use the chocolate mix and add banana, almond milk, and peanut butter for quite a delish combo. I have heard the berry mix is better though and might be more your style!

ps. haven’t posted much on here but wanted you to know I am absolutely inspired by your blog. Look forward to reading it everyday and you have helped me improve so many of my “disordered” eating habits by leading by example. Appreciate the constant support :)

From what I understand whole food optimizer is pretty similar to the cho-o-lot protein, just a little more of everything plus some addition benefits because its more like a meal replacement vs. protein replacement. Here a link to the website if you want to check it out for when you need a new batch!
http://myvega.com/products/whole-food-health-optimizer/features-benefits

Angela, you should go up the street to the mushroom farm and get some of their spent mushroom compost that is out front… it’s a great soil conditioner/fertilizer with no chemicals… and the best part, it’s free!
– Brittany

Strong men to shovel… and a trailer! lol
Your best bet would be to take some empty bins or garbage cans and fill them up… if you had access to a pick-up truck I would say just fill up the bed!
Good Luck!! :)
– Brittany

I love that you had cookie dough for breakfast (I had a blueberry cupcake) but it’s Friday so enjoy!!!
Your garden is looking good, I have one 4ft x 8ft raised bed and it’s been quite the workout getting it ready. Thanks for the companion list, now I know which of my veggies will be friends :)

I’m excited for your garden! I want to garden too but maybe one day when I have a home of my own and not some teeny tiny apartment =P It looks good so far and I’m looking forward to watching it progress.

Oh yea, and what kind of blender do you own? Also food processor. I’m in the hunt to replace mine (which lasted less than a year!!! sucker). Also, I’ve always was interested in a food processor but can’t seem to justify the purchase – I mean if I have a blender doesn’t it do nearly the same thing?

That pile of dirt looks like the long lost twin of what’s in my driveway! We’ve already spread it all over our lawn (for filling in grass) and in my raised garden bed and we still have a huge tower of soil and a small pile of compost. My husband is apparently an over-orderer when it comes to dirt. Or his eyes are too big for his wheelbarrow.

That chocolate chip cookie dough cereal looks divine. I don’t even eat cereal (it never keeps me full) but I would eat that just for the cookie dough chunks. Yum.

I’m excited to see what you grow in your garden. And I too have just discovered the President’s Choice frozen mango. It’s delicious. As is their combination that has peach/pineapple/grapes/melon and strawberries. (that combo is my “smoothie go to” mix) President’s Choice is the best!!!

I see you use wheatgrass powder, but what do you think of the liquid? It’s an acquired taste I know (!) but it’s kinda nice! Do you use it anytime?

Also, check me out using you as inspiration! I know how much enjoyment you get from food and am trying to channel this in order to shed past issues really. Take a sneaky peek and let me know if I’m Oh She Glows approved!!!!!

The gardening is coming along! Pretty soon you’ll be growing all your own fruits and veggies and a total pro in no time!! :)

The cookie dough balls. I am a huge fan of cookie dough and make it in all forms and flavors, bites, balls, choc dipped, with white chunks, dark chunks, you name it, I’m there. Your b-fast cereal would be a major hit for me!

My backyard looked like yours last week! This my first year planting a garden so I’m crossing my fingers. I now have a few months of successful wheatgrass growing under my belt, so I am hopeful that at a minimum I get a bowl of strawberries and one stirfry out of the effort. Happy planting!

Wow with that cookie dough cereal/snack. Amazes me how much fun we can all have with whole food ingredients. I much prefer this idea to real cookie dough.
Go you with the garden. Love the thought of the workout being lifting that heavy soil.
Have a great weekend.
xo

1: Love your beginning garden! I miss mine, I’m off on a work project and away for a few months.
2: I am living in a hotel while on this work project and now I am thinking I need to buy a blender because the green monsters are looking good! I am attempting to go veg for the whole two months and some day just aren’t so good. A green monster would cheer me up for sure! And that cereal—mmm!

Super exciting about the raised plant beds, I need to get started on my own (container) garden soon! Just wondering if you were able to find a triple mix with plant manure and if not, were you at all concerned with using animal manure in your food garden?

The frozen mango reminds me that I found frozen cherries at Costco recently and I wanted to pass that along since they are so hard to find in Canada.

Compost manure is the best soil for planting tomatoes in! They friggin’ love it.

I’m so excited to see how your garden pans out. I’ve been loving my garden this year because last year I was super pregnant throughout the most work intensive garden season and I couldn’t do very much and even hired the neighbor boy to weed for me but this year has gotten great start!

The beds are coming along nicely, One thing though that I have learned with composting, is to get two composters, so that you can turn the older compost out and keep adding to the new, that way you get the lovely dry compost to garden with instead of it being all moist and still decomposing…

Also mad love for the smoothie, and for the blog, very useful for a new vegan – I am trying to keep as raw as I can but your blog is very inspirational and shows just how fun cooking can be!! :)

Best breakfast! I was wondering, as the Green Monster Queen, whether you’d have recommendations for banana-less and mango-less smoothies? Bananas currently cost $2.50-$3 EACH in Australia right now, and mangoes aren’t in season (and we don’t have frozen mangos, at least not that I’ve ever seen!). I’d really love some ideas for a good smoothie without those two fruits, as my efforts have been lacklustre lately!

I want to make a double compost bin for mother’s day, but my husband hasn’t asked what I wanted, so I’m just hoping he will ask that day and we can run and get some lumber! Right now I’m waiting for some fresh compost and my beds to dry out before I can plant . . . I’m not a patient person :(

Hi Angela! I’ve been lurking around here for a while and was finally encouraged to comment and even start my own blog! But that’s besides the point! I’m so jealous of the beds you’ve made! If I had the room, I would do exactly the same.
Also, that breakfast sounds amazing and will be the next recipe of yours that I try.
I finally tried VOO and I LOVED it! It was amazing with banana and strawberry soft serve. YUM!

Angela-AHHH!! You are totally KILLING me with your incredible, amazing, over-the-moon FANTASTIC RECIPES!!! (I’m attempting to make my very own homemade coconut butter tonight-I’m like you and can’t seem to get enough of Artisana’s brand!) (which btw, is SO AMAZING and your homemade toast breakfast with the coconut butta looks BOMB!) annyway, I love this healthy cookie dough bowl idea; SUCH a great one and I can’t wait to try it!! (probably over chocolate cheerios this monday though!) yay yay yay! annnd also, the smoothie looks so great! I love green smoothies and happen to have some frozen mango in the freezer that’s been there for EVVAA’! So I can’t wait to use it up! does frozen kale really make a difference? I’m definitely going to try freezing mine; I would have never thought of that!! Well I hope this wasn’t an obnoxiously long comment; I really do just love your blog and feel like my comments could never do it justice! xoxo

Oh YUM! That blizzard looks amazing!!! I make my own almond milk using raw almonds and water in my Vitamix. Do you think all the leftover almond meal I have in my freezer would work in place of the cashews in your cookie dough recipe? I think I’m going to try it! :)

Hi Angela :)
I notice this isnt the right post to comment this on, but I need to do it anyway :)
Im a 23 year old girl, vegetarianer from I was 12, and vegan since I turned 18, and I have struggled with eating since i was 12. Although I wont say I have a ED at the moment (I used to binge, starve myselfe, overtrain when I was younger), I still have a really messed-up relationship with food. I want to show myself that my body is trustworthy, but I keep making “plans” (only raw food, only macrobiotic ++), instead of listning to my body.

I have decided that I WANT to start really listening to my body- I know it knows whats best, and I have started to see my psychologist again. I never knew it was going to be SO hard! I have only worked with it for the past few weeks, and some mornings I just cant get up because it scares me so much not to have a food plan. Obviously Im still vegan (Im that for so many other reason too, not just healt), but not being “all raw” or what ever, makes me so scared to make mistakes.

Anyway, I have a long long way to go, but I have found reading this kind of health blogs so helpful. I have a few favorites that really helps me see that it is possible to make my realationship with food good and healthy again. And you a one of the girls I admire the most! You are such an inspiration to me, and I just want to thank you so much!

I have been thinking about these chocolate chip cookie balls and banana soft serve since this post. Today I bought a bunch of extra bananas that I will hide from my husband so he doesn’t eat them just for the banana soft serve! And I’ll make the chocolate chip cookie balls to go on them. Can’t wait!

I absolutely loved the cereal bowl idea! I must admit– not only does it feel like a treat for breakfast (cookie dough balls?!), it is very satisfying, too! I made cherry coconut amaretto cookie dough balls to top my cereal with. Yum, yum, yum! I’m also a fan of this particular green monster as well. It’s perfectly refreshing, and right on par with the spring-like weather we’re having in the SF Bay Area. I tried it this morning, and I’m hooked.

Thank you so much for your beautiful website! I love your content, and look forward to new posts each and every day! :o)